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Exactly a week ago we had (or thought) an offer accepted, it was basically the asking price with a few bits of furniture thrown in. EA stressed that they need to see AIP, ID and Proof of Deposit.

Part of deposit if from my parents who are abroad.

Within a week we had engaged a solicitor, confirmed Santander to progress with mortgage and got EAs around for rental evaluation for our current home.

The vendors have been really nice and we have kept in touch over email, they were happy to answer any queries and usually reply promptly.

The EA called me today to say that I shouldn't be going ahead with survey as they haven't formally agreed to sell the property to me and they have another viewing today. They said they will not take it off market till they see funds for deposit, I explained that it will take a week or so for international transfer but they are happy to accept copies of parents account, I then sent them copies of account where the money is and they said they will continue with the viewing today and follow up on Monday.

I see the point of doing so and on Monday I am thinking of firmly asking for the property to be off market, will that be an acceptable thing to do?

Also the EA mentioned few times that I should not be emailing vendors as they are busy or going to hospital etc. which got me thinking that maybe there is something going on. The vendors were the ones to exchange email address and have never indicated any concern with us speaking directly. I wanted to say that email communication is the least invasive and the vendors are under no obligation to reply but my good nature stopped me from doing so.

House buying is rather stressful so I accept if I am just being paranoid.

Last week the EA mentioned that there has been two other offers but both buyers had property to sell before they could proceed.

We are in a good position to proceed and the next best buyer will be a cash buyer , even with international money transfer we will still be quicker than anyone who has a house to sell.

Have I annoyed EA by communicating direct with vendors.

Nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. - Alex Supertramp

Probably you have, but if your vendors have provided their contact details then I'd take that as a signal that they're ok with it. Perhaps just preface the next email with a quick check 'is it still ok... etc'

From the EAs perspective because the property is still being marketed it would be easier for them if they were the go between for all prospects. Perhaps they are working on a % and are hoping for a higher offer to come in - if you are in direct contact with the vendor they perhaps fear it will be less easy for the vendors to reject your current offer if that happens.

We were in direct contact with our vendors and it was really helpful, but it happened much later in the process after survey all done etc. Also the EA was fine with it in that case, it saved them phone time for a pretty dead cert deal.

The other experience we have was less good. We offered on a house last year and it was accepted, negotiated by the EA. Unbeknownst to them the vendor was in direct contact with a previous viewer (different EA.) Vendor texted her and she gazumped us. The EA was caught totally unaware by that too

Exactly my thoughts, although I have very little to loose but wouldn't want the stress and I think on principle I will be asking for the property to be taken off market. I have done everything EA has asked for.

Nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. - Alex Supertramp

Proof of funds shown
Mortgage not only AIP but full application going ahead
Solicitor appointed
No property to sell

I don't think I can provide anything else. I am going to insist on property being off market next week. While we would absolutely want this property, at this moment in time it is still a business transaction for me.

Nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. - Alex Supertramp

Proof of funds shown
Mortgage not only AIP but full application going ahead
Solicitor appointed
No property to sell

I don't think I can provide anything else. I am going to insist on property being off market next week. While we would absolutely want this property, at this moment in time it is still a business transaction for me.

I would agree with this. All you have done is show funds in a bank account of someone else, albeit your family member. Proof of funds will be funds in a bank account of your name. All well and good saying you have got a solicitor you would like to use but they cannot be instructed until a memorandum of sale is produced so that is immaterial that you have gone and got that sorted. Once you can show YOU have the funds in your account then they would likely take it off the market, until then it isn't abnormal to keep viewings going on. You could ask for a 2 week grace period to stop marketing of the property to allow you to get the funds transferred but being that they havent done it for you already seems they are happy to see if anyone else comes along regardless of their nicey nice emails back and forth. It isn't upto the EA to take it off the market its upto them as a vendor so no matter how nice they are to you they clearly want to keep marketing the property.

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